1926.651(h)(1): No Work in Water-Filled Excavations Without Precautions
Employers must not let workers work in excavations with accumulated or accumulating water unless adequate precautions protect them. Precautions vary by situation but could include special support or shield systems, water removal to control the water level, or a safety harness and lifeline.
Key takeaways
- 1926.651(h)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 95 times in the last 3 years, in 95 inspections, with $433,159 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (15), FL (9), GU (5).
- Related part: 1926.651(h) Protection from hazards associated with water accumulation (104 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.651(h)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.651 Specific excavation requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) Employees shall not work in excavations in which there is accumulated water, or in excavations in which water is accumulating, unless adequate precautions have been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation. The precautions necessary to protect employees adequately vary with each situation, but could include special support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins, water removal to control the level of accumulating water, or use of a safety harness and lifeline. 95 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.651.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.651(h)(1).
At 3:37 p.m. on October 31, 2024, three employees were installing a drainage system at a golf course development in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The work includedexcavating trenches to install 20-foot long by 12-inch diameter corrugated pipesand placing a tracer wire. Earlier rain had saturated the…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: TX (15), FL (9), GU (5), MD (4), NY (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ROSWELL, CITY OF, WATER DEPARTMENT | ROSWELL, NM | $25,907 |
| GRAYSON CARTER & SON CONTRACTING, INC. | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $16,550 |
| CONTINUUM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LTD. | LITTLE PLYMOUTH, VA | $16,285 |
| HURTADO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | FULSHEAR, TX | $15,970 |
| 155150 - MASTEC UTILITY SERVICES, LLC | WAKE FOREST, NC | $14,062 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.651(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.651(h)(1).
Related parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
Can work continue in a trench with water?
Only if adequate precautions have been taken to protect employees from the hazards of water accumulation.
What precautions could be used?
Special support or shield systems, water removal to control the water level, or a safety harness and lifeline.
Are the precautions the same every time?
No. They vary with each situation.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.651 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-19
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.